International Women's Day on BBC Radio 3

Friday 6 March 2015

RCM alumnae are playing an important role in BBC Radio 3’s International Women's Day celebrations on Sunday 8 March.

In a day of programming entirely dedicated to music written and chosen by women, the station will celebrate the talents and creativity of women who have created music throughout the centuries, as well as championing the next generation of female composers.

Sunday morning will feature the music of RCM alumna Rebecca Clarke alongside works by Fanny Mendelssohn and Clara Schumann in a coffee concert, which includes performances from RCM alumna and Radio 3 New Generation Artist Kitty Whately.

Other highlights of the day include a special broadcast of Private Passions with RCM alumna and former Junior Fellow Anna Meredith, and the world premiere of a new collection of Piano Miniatures written performed by British pianist and RCM alumna Grace Francis.

Each day in the week following International Women’s Day, five female composers under the age of 35 – including RCM alumnae Charlotte Bray (pictured) and Hannah Kendall – will be interviewed by Donald Macleod for Composer of the Week, discussing life as a female composer today.

Helen Boaden, Director of BBC Radio says: 'I'm delighted Radio 3 is celebrating female composers with a range of programmes dedicated to classical music written and chosen by women. The station will be championing the next generation of female talent as well as analysing the contribution of some of the great women of classical music – like Fanny Mendelssohn and Clara Schumann – who often worked in the shadow of their male counterparts.'

The Royal College of Music is proud to regularly champion the work of female composers, and last year presented a Women in Music festival with the Albany Trio.

For the full schedule of programmes and more resources relating to female composers visit the BBC Radio 3 website.